Christmas books for over 11s

With books from Philip Reeve (author of Railhead and the Mortal Engines quartet) and Gillian Cross (author of The Demon Headmaster), you’ll find lots of thrilling reads to share with older readers this Christmas.

Deborah Ellis
This beautiful graphic-novel adaptation of The Breadwinner animated film tells the story of eleven-year-old Parvana who must disguise herself as a boy to support her family during the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan. Deborah Ellis's original novel, The Breadwinner, has been an international bestseller for more than 15 years.Find out more >

Philip Reeve
Zen Starling is a petty thief. A nobody. Destined to ride the rails to nowhere special. That is, until Raven, a strange and mysterious figure, enlists him for one small job. One small job that might just bring everything in this galaxy, and the next, to the end of the line.
A highly acclaimed novel from the creator of Mortal Engines, ideal for older book lovers.Find out more >

Philip Reeve
There was nothing, and then there was a train. A train with two passengers: a petty thief from a dead-end town, and an android girl who could be more human than the rest of us. Join Zen and Nova as they find out what really lies beyond the end of the universe in this second epic adventure from the Railhead galaxy. A novel which is ideal for older book lovers and that will appeal to both sci-fi fans and foes alike.Find out more >

Philip Reeve
The Great Network is changing. For Threnody, the changes have brought great power. For Zen and Nova, they have brought separation. For the trains that run from world to world, they have brought questions. Now all of them must find out what really matters to them…Find out more >

Joss Stirling
The award-winning Savant series mixes heart-pounding romance with mystery and a hint of the supernatural. In Angel Dares, Angel's extraordinary savant ability allows her to manipulate water. Then she meets Marcus Cohen at a music festival and finds herself all at sea. Their mutual attraction is instant but Marcus's mistrust of savants is just as intense. How can they ever be together if Marcus is unable to accept who Angel is or what they could mean to each other? Another page-turning read for teens from Joss Stirling.Find out more >

Ben Davis
Read it and weep. And cringe. A lot.
14-year-old Joe Cowley didn't think his luck could get any worse. But then he finds out he has to share a bedroom with his new step-brother – wedgie-giving school bully Gav James – and Joe realizes all his worst nightmares are about to come true!
So he’s decided to write a blog. To help get his life back on track, because frankly it can’t get any worse. Warning: contains embarrassing parents, freaky friends, treacherous parrots and many laugh-out-loud episodes for readers aged 12+.Find out more >

Julie Hearn
When Hazel witnesses suffragette Emily Davison stepping out in front of the king's horse she could never have imagined the impact this event would have on her own life. But this single incident would change Hazel's destiny forever… A stunning novel from an outstanding and award-winning writer.Find out more >

Gillian Cross
Money is worthless. Armed robbers roam the streets. No one is safe. Matt and his little brother, Taco, escape through the Channel Tunnel. Their mother said they would be safe on the other side. She was wrong.After Tomorrow is an unflinchingly poignant but ultimately hopeful story from Carnegie Medal winning author Gillian Cross, exploring the struggle for survival within refugee camps.Find out more >